Monday, September 3, 2007

Emerald Bowl

Dec. 28, 2007

8:30 EST, San Francisco, Cal., ESPN

Prediction: Oregon vs. Boston College

Pac-10 no. 5 vs. ACC no. 7

Analysis:

The original Bowl Projection opinion was that Boston College wouldn't even make it to a bowl game this year. Boy were we wrong. And I'm not sure why we were so negative on B.C. They handled last year's ACC champion in Wake Forest in week one. And Matt Ryan looks good at quarterback. Jeff Jagodzinski is doing a nice job so far. Do you think that Tom O'Brien is second guessing his move to NC State?

Oregon handled Houston in the season opener. Week two will be an even better barometer or how well the season will go for the Ducks. Will Michigan bounce back after getting beat by Appalachian State? Or can Oregon hand the Wolverines the second straight home loss to open the season. One would think that if Appalachian State can do it, so could Oregon.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Independence Bowl

Dec. 30, 2007

8 p.m. EST, Shreveport, La., ESPN

Predicition: Oklahoma State vs. Tennessee

SEC no. 8 vs. Big XII no. 7

Analysis:

Tennessee lost to a good Cal team, and there's no loss of respect in that. But the fact is that any one loss puts you further and further down the bowl pecking order. Unless Tennessee rules the roost in SEC East play, it will be tough for them to get to a better bowl. Teams like Kentucky are going to be better than anyone thinks. The loss of the Vols' receiving talent from a year ago has really hurt Erik Ainge.

Oklahoma State also lost their season opener. It just also happened to be against an SEC team in Georgia. The Cowboys look to have better luck in Big XII play. It might have been a different story had they been able to get Georgia at home too. Bobby Reid figures to have better days in Stillwater.

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Dec. 29, 2007

1 p.m. EST, Charlotte, N.C., ESPN

Prediction: South Florida vs. Maryland

Big East vs. ACC no. 6

Analysis:

Neither of our bowl participants did much of note during the first week of the season. They both beat Championship subdivision opponents, which is more than Michigan can say, though. South Florida beat Elon handily. Quarterback Matt Groethe and the defense will lead the way for more prominent wins as the season continues. Maryland, meanwhile, beat Villanova in another yawner. A win is a win and Ralph Friedgen will need every one to get the Terrapins bowling in the postseason.

Armed Forces Bowl

Dec. 31, 2007

12:30 p.m. EST, Fort Worth, Tex., ESPN

Prediction: BYU vs. Arizona State

Moutain West vs. Pac-10

Analysis:

Arizona State had an impressive win over San Jose State in their season opener. The Spartans have not traditionally been a powerhouse by any means, but they did win a bowl game last year. And the fact that the Sun Devils dismantled them bodes well for the season.

BYU's win over Arizona will earn them another shot at a Pac10 team in the postseason. The Cougars had to replace a lot of talent from a season ago including quarterback John Beck, but they looked more than capable in their season opening win.

Texas Bowl

Dec. 28, 2007

8 p.m. EST, Houston, Tex., NFL Network

Prediction: Houston vs. Kansas

Conference USA vs. Big XII

Analysis:

Kansas had a really nice win over a decent Central Michigan team on Saturday. The may have only been a MAC opponent, but the Chippewas are a team that won a bowl game a year ago and have both a nice quarterback and running back. Cornerback Aqib Talib is the team's MVP and player to watch.

Houston may have lost their season opener, but they played a tough Oregon team on the road. The loss was expected. As long as they can stay atop the Conference USA standings, they should remain bowl eligible.

PapaJohns.com Bowl

Dec. 22, 2007

1 p.m., Birmingham, Ala., ESPN2

Prediction: Cincinnati vs. Tulsa

Big East vs. Conference USA

Analysis:

The battle is going to come down to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh for the berth in this game, and based upon week one's play, Cincinnati it is. So far so good in Brian Kelly's first year in running the Bearcats. The balance on offense was good to see. They seems to be able to run and pass equally well.

For Tulsa, even though it wasn't against the strongest of opponents, a win on the road is always a good thing. Paul Smith showed why he is deserving of first team All-Conference USA. If Tulsa misses Steve Kragthorpe, they haven't shown it yet.

Motor City Bowl

Dec. 26, 2007

7:30 p.m., Detroit, Mich., ESPN

Prediction: Indiana vs. Kent State

Big 10 no. 7 vs. MAC

Analysis:

We're sticking with Indiana in the Motor City slot. Iowa will provide stiff competition, but we just think the stars are aligned for the Hoosiers. Iowa didn't exactly sparkle against Northern Illinois. And Indiana will be playing all season long for the memory of Terry Hoeppner.

Kent State showed their meddle by winning a road game in a Big XII stadium. Iowa State might not exactly be a quality opponent, but Bret Meyer and Todd Blythe are quality players. The Golden Flashes will go to their first bowl game for the first time since 1972, which will be sweet for them seeing as they should have gone to one last year.

International Bowl

Jan. 5, 2008

12 p.m. EST, Toronto, Canada, ESPN 2

Prediction: Notre Dame vs. Toledo

Big East/Notre Dame vs. MAC

Analysis:

If Saturday's performance is any indication, Notre Dame will be lucky to finish with a .500 record this season. And if they do, they better hope no team from the Big East finishes with a winning record. Bowl rules dictate that teams with a winning record are given preference. A team like Pittsburgh could leapfrog the Fighting Irish here.

Central Michigan was the original pick for this game, but they didn't show any fight versus Kansas. Toledo didn't exactly excel against Purdue either, but they showed more than the Chippewas. The Rockets are hoping the Toledo of old starts showing through and it should.

New Orleans Bowl

Dec. 21, 2007

8 p.m. EST, New Orleans, La., ESPN 2

Prediction: Troy vs. UCF

Sun Belt no. 1 vs. Conference USA

Analysis:

With their win over BCS conference foe North Carolina State on Saturday, UCF is rewarded with an elevation in the bowl pecking order. They get to face the Sun Belt champion in the Crescent City. On a side note, is this what Tom O'Brien signed up for at NC State?

Troy might have lost their season opener at Arkansas, but they played admirably. Omar Haugabrook should be able orchestrate Troy to a conference championship. A key game will be against Florida Atlantic in the last game of the regular season. Atlantic showed their might with a win over a 2006 bowl eligible team in Middle Tennessee State in their season opener.

Poinsettia Bowl

Dec. 20, 2007

9 p.m. EST, San Diego, Calif., ESPN

Prediction: Navy vs. Utah

Navy/at large vs. Mountain West

Analysis:

With BYU's win against a Pac10 team and Utah's loss against a Pac10 team, BYU leapfrogs Utah to compete in the Armed Forces Bowl against another Pac10 opponent. Utah still gets a bowl game, but they'll have to face Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Navy's handling of Temple shows they should finish with a winning record this season. Should they have lost, a winning season might have been in question. Adam Ballard won't let this team down.

Hawaii Bowl

Dec. 23, 2007

8 p.m. EST, Honolulu, Hawaii, ESPN

Prediction: Fresno State vs. SMU

WAC vs. Conference USA

Analysis:

Going to back to Hawaii once is nice. Fresno State won't exactly want to travel to the Islands twice in the same season, but they won't have a choice. If the Bulldogs and New Mexico State both end their seasons with winning records, the New Mexico Bowl will tab the Aggies as their team. The Bulldogs are bound for Hawaii.

SMU gets back to their first bowl game since 1984 and will be happy to go to Hawaii, or anywhere for that matter.

New Mexico Bowl

Dec. 22, 2007

4:30 p.m. EST, Albuquerque, N.M., ESPN

Prediction: New Mexico State vs. Wyoming

Mountain West vs. WAC

Analysis:

As long as New Mexico State finishes with a winning record, they figure to get the bid to the New Mexico Bowl from the WAC in what will amount to somewhat of a home game. With Chase Holbrook running the show as long as the Aggies show any bit of defense, they should have a winning season.

If New Mexico can't beat UTEP, they don't figure to be much of a factor in the Mountain West race. On the other hand, Wyoming really showed their teeth on Saturday in a win over a BCS conference in Virginia. Karsten Sween could be the best quarterback in the Mountain West.